By West Side Rag
Exciting news! Signage appeared for the first time this week for the incoming H Mart supermarket at 210-220 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 69th and 70th streets.
Thanks to Bryan Boyd for the tip.
The popular Korean-Asian grocery store will replace a Rite Aid that vacated the space in 2021. The coming of H Mart was first announced last March.
H Mart is a hugely popular supermarket, as described in The New York Time’s 2021 article, “The Lure of H Mart, Where the Shelves Can Seem as Wide as Asia,” and also highlighted by Michelle Zauner’s memoir, “Crying in H Mart,” which spent 43 weeks on The New York Times best seller list.
The exact opening date for the Amsterdam Avenue outpost is still unclear, but we’ll try to get more information for our Opening and Closings column this upcoming week.
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Amazing news!! I had given up as every time I walked past it never looked like they were making progress.
2 new markets a block or 2, if you like, apart? How is this going to play out?
In 110th, there’s an HMart and a West Side, open for years, both always busy.
Very well, I suspect. There should be little duplication between the two. And where there is, I’d be willing to bet H Mart prices will be quite a bit less. I’ve found the prices at Morton Williams almost laughable.
Rents for commercial real estate on Broadway are way higher than Amsterdam Avenue. But Morton Williams at Waterline Square (WEA and 60th) also has high prices. Big tip though: their salad bar is only $9.99 – a relative bargain compared to Whole Foods, Gourmet Garage, etc.
Yes, if you don’t know (and aren’t curious) what buldak carbonara is you probably aren’t setting foot into H Mart. It’s a bold move for them to come so far south on the UWS (the location up by W. 110th has a lot more student traffic and benefits from a more diverse section of the neighborhood). W. 70th is the heart of bürgherlichkeit!
Fantastic. We need H-Mart ASAP. Yes. Can’t wait!!!!!
Curious about the logistics of truck delivery?
Busy avenue plus a bicycle lane
Take a look at the location. 200 Amsterdam, the 50 story super expensive condo, appears to use the front of the building as a free parking lot,along the east border of the bike lane, for its residents. There are always five or six cars parked long term in that area, and I sometimes see residents getting out or in those cars. H Mart is a commercial tenant on the ground floor of 200 Amsterdam. It will certainly be interesting to see how H Mart handles deliveries. Yesterday I saw a vehicle for hire triple parked in front of 200 Amsterdam because there wasn’t any space closer to the building.
Isn’t H-Mart in the old Rite-Aid space?
I think that commercial space (which includes the dry cleaner and liquor store) is actually part of 200 West 70th (not the new luxury building)
I mostly see moving trucks, delivery trucks and Uber in front of the luxury building 200 Amsterdam.
So another issue would be trash – likely to be a lot of trash from H-Mart on Amsterdam.
This is a real cheap Korean owned grocery chain, gourmet food it’s not!
H Mart is headed to the UWS and already take it up residence on UES. The cult-favorite Korean grocer, known for its all-encompassing snack aisles and ample frozen foods selection.
H Mart, short for “Han Ah Reum,” which just happens to mean “One Arm Full of Groceries.”
Asian-inspired supermarket started in 1982 in Queens, New York.
So what’s your issue? It’s Korean-owned, or it’s’ less expensive (if that’s even the case)? I’ve shopped at the one at 110th, and like it very much. The prepared foods are very good, including the sushi and buns.
Not “real cheap” at all. I shop regularly both at the one on 32nd Street and the one in Edison, NJ. Within the past month I’ve bought oxtails and flanken-cut short ribs at H Mart and the price was only about $1/lb less than Citarella. The prices for produce, much of which you can’t buy anywhere else, are often quite good, though.
I love H Mart (I go to the one on 110 and Broadway a lot), but for Asian produce, FreshGoGO and Weeee can’t be beat. I haven’t done a price comparison, but H Mart doesn’t carry fresh water chestnuts or fresh bamboo shoots or celtuce, etc.
This is the best news in this issue.
I’m so excited to know that the H Mark sign is up. Next time I walk by, I’ll surely take a photo.
What’s wrong with the WSR photo in this article?
Fabulous. I love love love HMart
Any intel on Mermaid Oyster Bar? I saw paper up in the windows and barriers outside so assuming construction has begun.
I went into the one on 110th last year and was horrified by the prices for ordinary things; higher than Morton Willams West Side Market or Citarella. But the Asian selections were appealing.
Regular items are high priced; that’s true. But if you go for the Asian products, it’s a win!
I live near H-mart and the WSM, and would choose the H-mart over WSM any day. They don’t have the same items, but the produce is much better at the H-mart, as is their fish. Now that Garden of Eden closed on 108th and Broadway, It’s H-mart (almost) all the way. I have a feeling that the competition from H-mart may have influenced Garden fo Eden to close.
WSM is open 24/7, though. That is one point in its favor.
(H-Mart usually has long hours, but not round-the-clock.)
When HMart opens please don’t forget to visit amazing Shimbashi on 72nd St that also has fresh veggies and Asian and Japanese focused items on their shelves and freezer cases. (disclosure we have no relationship – financial or otherwise – to either stores we are simply worried about this wonderful store after HMart opens, please remember to support our local UWS businesses!)
I too have been waiting and waiting and almost gave up hope. Kmart the superior choice for us Upper West Siders. I would feel better if I knew when…
Yay! Can’t wait.
No more trekking up to the Columbia area.
Cool! There’s one on 110 and Broadway, which is well-worth the walk/bus if need be, but with another one in the 70s, it’ll really help ‘cover’ the UWS better!